Cannabis as a Cure for Anxiety
Just as with the article looking at cannabis as a cause of anxiety, I have found compelling evidence that marijuana can cure anxiety very difficult to find, although the anecdotal evidence that it does abounds.
So, even though anxiety can be a common side effect for some users, for many people the opposite is true. Joan Bello, author of the Benefits of Marijuana, says:
“With the expansiveness that occurs with marijuana, the subject may begin to notice infinite possibilities to raise the quality of his/her life that would otherwise have remained hidden from normal, defensive consciousness. And feelings of health and happiness naturally lead to hope, which of itself can be curative.” Ms Bello interviewed over 400 people for her book who suffered from all types of disease, including, MS, Glaucoma, Epilepsy, Migraines, Asthma, Depression, Pain, Anxiety, Digestive Disorders, among many other stress-related diseases.
What Bello goes on to say is, I believe, the crux of the marijuana as cause or cure debate:
“When it first became popular in the West, marijuana was imported mainly from tropical zones, where the sativa strain of cannabis is indigenous. This type of marijuana is known for its “cerebral high,” having little noticeable body participation. No studies concerning the different effects of sativa vs. indica have been done, but from the lack of physical sensation, it is reasonable to assume more Sympathetic or stimulant qualities in sativa than indica (a cooler climate type). This is compatible with the notion that in hotter climates, less calming is desirable from a recreational substance, since hot climates in themselves cause lethargy. Many connoisseurs of marijuana prefer the sativa high, although in the last decade it has become very scarce due to domestic cultivation of strains that thrive in temperate zones (and indoors). “Cerebral highs” are experienced as lightness of thought beyond usual concern with self esteem. In relationships, a cerebral high attunes the participants to a less separate sense of themselves. Conversation is animated and a general feeling of camaraderie is in the air.”
My belief is that a person’s reaction to marijuana is dependent upon the interaction between his or her natural disposition and the strain of cannabis used. Surely, if a depressive character uses a calming indica strain the result would be even more lethargy and apathy, leading to a deeper depression. If that person, however, used stimulating sativa instead, doesn’t it follow that the depression would be lightened? Of course, the opposite would be true for a person suffering from anxiety.
There is so much anecdotal evidence supporting the anxiety relieving effects of cannabis that it has to be true! For that reason, we are suggesting that the following strains might help anxiety disorders:
- AK-47
- Big Bang
- Blueberry
- Blue Moonshine
- Blue Satellite
- Bog Sour Bubble
- Bubblegum
- Burmese kush
- C99 x Great White Shark)
- Fieldale Haze
- Firecracker
- Ganesh
- Hashberry
- Jack Herer
- Juicy Fruit
- Kalichakra
- LSD
- Mango x Northern Lights # 5
- Northern Lights
- Northern Light Special
- Northern Lights #5
- Romulan
- Shiskaberry x Dutch Treat)
- Shiskaberry x Hash Plant
- Speed Queen
- Strawberry Cough
- Strawberry Haze
- Super Impact
- Trainwreck
- Wakeford
- White Satin
More information on the various marijuana strains can be found at How to Grow Marijuana
i live in northwest missouri so trying to find a strain that helps with my anxiety is really hit and miss. i have to be careful when i do smoke because it is rare here to be able to know what strain it is. but but thanks to web sites such as these i am able to have the knowledge of the different kinds so i can better cope with the panic/anxiety i have daily!
The 20 Second Countdown
Why everywhere you look are top psychologists and doctors still teaching outdated methods for treating general anxiety and panic attacks?
It seems every time I do a search online there is yet another anxiety “expert” rehashing the same old ideas. Brown Paper bags, think happy thoughts, do your breathing etc. I am sure you have come across them a million times before already.
How are people supposed to solve their anxiety issue if they are continuously exposed to these techniques and methods that only teach people to cope with anxiety. Just coping is not good enough. Real solutions are needed.
This is a very good exercise for people who want something practical to focus their attention on when they feel the pressure of a panic attack building.
Its very simple and easy to remember. Here goes…
The 20 Second Countdown
When you feel the sensations of a panic attack building do the following.
Tell the panic that it has 20 seconds to initiate the full panic attack. 20 seconds and no more. After the 20 seconds are complete it must stop making empty threats.
You are allowing 20 seconds for it to fully manifest but not a second more.
Whatever the bodily sensation is that you fear, it must happen within that 20 second time frame.
-If you heart is going to explode then it has 20 seconds to do so.
-If you are going to lose control, then your mind has 20 seconds to do so.
-If you are going to faint – 20 seconds! But absolutely no more time than that.
You get the picture.
By setting a specific time frame you establish boundaries of control. You turn it into a game where you call fear’s bluff. If it were a poker game, you are asking anxiety to show its hand.
This works because it establishes a sense of control within your mind and body.
You think to yourself “I am not prepared to spend my time worrying about this. I’ve had enough. I am going to be generous and give it 20 seconds but after 20 seconds and nothing has happened then the opportunity has officially passed and I am going to go back to what I was doing.”
Then start counting -but nice and slowly, don’t rattle it off as fast as you can. Really tease it out like you did when you were a child and you never wanted to reach zero. Teasing it out is the key because it allows you to feel generous and that you are giving anxiety every chance possible.
Deep down you know there is really nothing to fear.
To really help tease it out, break the last few numbers into fractions.
5…………………………..
4…………………………..
3……………………………
2…and three quarters…
2…and half………………
2…………………………..
1…and three quarters… (last chance anxiety)
1…and half……………… (I really cant wait any longer)
1…………………………..
0.
Sorry too late we’ve reached the end.
By not rushing through the countdown you will feel your confidence soar because you are demonstrating real control and authority over your anxious thoughts and bodily sensations. You are saying “look, I am really trying to give you all the time I can to unleash X,Y, and Z, I am being very generous here with this countdown.
Count your way to freedom. Count your way to confidence.
I’ll reply to an old thread thant is dear to my heart and head. Cannabis has psychoactive properties, which makes it a drug. With any drug one should be careful and read up on all its effects both positive and negative. With that being said Marijuana is the best drug I have found to help, if not cure my anxiety/panic disorder. I know what it is. I know where it came from, and I know it is non-lethal. Personaly I love Cannabis! I do not believe it is a cure all but 100% believe it is better than pharmaceutical drugs for many things. I myself like a 50/50 hybrid.
I have been using cannabis for about two months to treat severe anxiety and depression.
After dropping a lot of my medications due to side effects, I started using cannabis to help me relax. It is seriously unbelievable how much of a difference it has made to my life. I have discussed this with my physician and I have been on so many anti depressants that just make me feel awful that I am somewhat reluctant to try anymore synthetic treatments as this has proven so effective.
Thanks for this info!
Thanks for the list it might come and hand well its hard to find in Kansas lawerance here i come and its not to watch KU either they sucked this year but yea i have had Ak-47 and it really helped with my anxeity the tightness in my chested easied away and so did my thoughts lol but dont make u brain dead and like forget a stove i got on high alert with kids around im more careful with the things i do.
Thanks. I might try this